The Seduction of Suki

The look on Suki’s face was just as Agent Hughes expected. She knew Suki would never have her willingly, so there really wasn’t any point in deceiving her any further. She would realize what was going on sooner or later. So why not tell it like it was until then? After Suki’s deep, dark eyes widened with fear and surprise, doubt and skepticism took over her lovely features. Perhaps a bit of hope as well. “You’re joking, right?” she asked. “Well, if he was dangerous, wouldn’t you want him gone?” “Well,” Suki stuttered, “y—yeah, but in a psychiatric hospital or a jail, getting the help and punishment he needs and deserves.” “So proper and by-the-book, aren’t we?” Agent Hughes said, running her fingers through Suki’s hair. Suki jerked her head away and rose to her feet. “Look, if this is some kind of joke, it’s not funny.” “You don’t see me laughing, do you?” “I want to leave now. If you won’t take me to my apartment, I’ll just gather my stuff and go. In fact, that’s what I’ll do right now. I won’t put you out any longer. You’ve done enough for me as it is. I’ll let myself out, and I’ll get home on my own.” “You do that,” Agent Hughes said, still sitting casually in the middle of the couch. She listened as Suki hurriedly gathered the few things she had brought with her and tried hard not to giggle. She kept her lips pressed tightly together, but it was still hard not to let out the laugh desperately seeking escape, causing her to make a spitting sound as she tried to stifle it. Suki emerged from the guest room, carry-all slung over one shoulder, purse on the other, and hastily strolled over to the door. “I’ll see you at work, Agent Hughes.” Suki reached for the doorknob, only to find it locked. She glanced nervously at Hughes. Agent Hughes finally let go of her laughter and said, “I think you’ll see me right here instead.” Now real panic began to set in. Hughes could see it. “Look, I don’t know what’s going on, but I want you to unlock the door right now.” “And I want a million dollars,” Agent Hughes said as she rose from the couch, “but I’m not getting it, am I?” Suki took a step backward as the twisted agent approached her. “But there is something I want that I can have.” “No!” Suki shouted, dropping her things and running toward the back door. Agent Hughes wasn’t far behind, letting out another burst of laughter as she watched Suki hopelessly struggle to pull the door open. “And you thought all you would have to do was turn a deadbolt, right?” Suki quickly turned to face her. “Where are the keys? Get the keys now!” “If I obey you, will you give me just a few hours with you in my cozy little bed?” “No! Absolutely not. Even if I was attracted to you, I don’t mix business with pleasure.” “Oh? But there’s a first time for everything.” “P—please, just let me go and let’s forget this ever happened. You didn’t have to make up some crazy story about killing Ted and him being all dangerous, and you didn’t have to keep me here.” “Yes, I did,” Hughes said matter-of-factly. “You wouldn’t have come if I’d told you the real reason you’re here. And I didn’t make up the story about killing Ted, either.” Suki stared at her for a moment, lost in indecision. She clearly wasn’t sure what to believe or say. Finally, she said, “If you let me go now and give me time to think about the idea of you and me, I promise I’ll seriously consider returning for a night. For now, what if your daughter returns?” “Now that’s something I really did make up.” Once again, fear took over Suki’s features. “Just let me out of here! I’m not interested in you, and I want to go home now.” “Please don’t make me have to kill you any sooner than I planned,” Agent Hughes said, cornering Suki against the wall, palms planted on either side of the girl. She was terrified. It was more than evident in her eyes, and in the way she breathed so heavily she was nearly hyperventilating. “You—you don’t have to do this,” she stammered desperately. “You could have your way with me, but you don’t have to kill me in the end.” “But if I don’t, you’ll turn me in for killing Ted.” “But I don’t know that you really killed him!” Suki bargained desperately. “I still don’t believe you killed him, so how can I report you for something I don’t believe, don’t know, or have any proof of?” “Come on, sweetie. You’re no idiot. You know that if he were dead, sooner or later, word would be floating around the office. If you suddenly heard he was missing or had been found dead, would you think I was kidding then?” Another moment of silence. Agent Hughes could see the turmoil of thoughts churning in Suki’s mind. “Well, if you killed him, great. We both know he was a pervert, and if he was stalking me, it was only a matter of time before he tried to hurt me. So if you killed him to protect me, why would I report that?” “Well,” Hughes said, gently trailing her fingers along the soft contours of Suki’s face, “even if you didn’t exactly report me, I can’t believe you wouldn’t mention it to someone sooner or later.” “But I won’t. I swear! Please. You’ve got to give me a chance to show you that you can trust me. If you really killed him, then I’m sure you had every reason to, and that your actions are totally justified.” The agent moaned, burying her face in the crook of Suki’s neck. “Are you sure about that? Because right now, the only thing I’m sure of is you and me.”